Score card



Patented Sept. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SCORE CARD Oscar S. Butler, Cleveland, Ohio Application November 9, 1940, Serial No. 365,131

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to score cards, articularly score cards suitable for keeping a :ogressive or successive score such as in bridge, *olf, etc.

The score cards ordinarily used are simply a ieet upon which is provided spaces on the face hereof for entering the score made by the paricipant. The scores entered are readily observable by other persons unless the card is left hidlen. This is not always convenient, especially to women who are not ordinarily supplied with numerous pockets in which the score card can be secreted. As many bridge players, as well as golfers and others may wish to keep these scores from prying eyes it is desirable that a score card be used on which the scores may be readily entered, but when entered may be kept hidden.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel score card on which the score may be hidden.

Another object is to provide a score card for entry of successive scores which may thereafter be kept hidden as desired.

Figure 1 is one front View of the score card adapted for bridge.

Figure 2 is another front view.

Figure 3 is a front view of another modification.

Figure 4 illustrates another modification of the stop means.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing the score card comprises a casing or envelope A, having slidably mounted therein the slide or card B. The casing A is provided with a series of display openings a, a1, separated by areas I), and area In is also provided between the opening in and the bottom of the casing A. These openings are for the purposes of entering the score upon the slide B, when the slide is in the position shown in Figure l. Openings a are provided for the entering of the game scores and opening an is for the total- Openings (1 are preferably arranged one under the other. Opening an may also be so arranged or may be placed slightly to one side of the openings a or wherever convenient.

The slide B is provided with a slot 0, Figs. 1 and 2, through which projects a pin d mounted upon and secured to the casing A. The length of this slot is such that the movement of the slide is limited to that distance which will permit the scores entered upon the slide though the openings a, 111 to be moved under the areas b, 121 respectively, but will not permit the scores to appear through the adjacent openings.

In the operation of the score card, when it is desired to enter a score the slide will be withdrawn as far as permitted by the slot 0 and pin d, and the score entered upon the slide through the proper opening. The slide will then be returned asfar as possible, and the score will remain concealed under the respective areas b, 121 provided for that purpose in the casing.

It will be readily understood that other means may be provided for limiting the movement of the slide member. Fig. 3 shows one such modification. In Figure 3, the tabs 6 are formed from the material constituting the casing A by only cutting the material on three sides in forming two of the openings in the casing and leaving a tab hinged to the casing along the one side parallel to the direction of the movement of the slide B. These tabs e are inserted in the slots f, these slots being of such length as to limit the movement of the slide as described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

Or instead of having the projecting member which is inserted in the slot, attached to the .casing, it may be attached to the slide and the casing provided with a slot for limiting the movement of the slide in the casing. Also the arrangement of the slide limiting means may be such that the entries are made when the slide is in the inner position, and the entries are concealed when the slide is withdrawn as far as possible. Various specific means for accomplishing the limited movement of the slide will :be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

In Figure 4, the slide B is provided with narrowed top portion, resulting in shoulders 71.. The portion g is inserted through slot i in the upper end of the casing A. The shoulders h and the length of the slide B is such that the inner portion is limited by the end 7' of the slide B contacting the closed lower end it of the casing A, and the outer position is limited by the shoulder hl contacting the closed portions 1 on the upper end of the casing A, the total movement being such that the score entered through the openings a in one extreme portion are concealed beneath the areas b when in the other extreme position.

Also instead of an arrangement whereby the slide moves longitudinally of the card the arrangement may be such that the slide moves transversely of the card.

The score card may be made from any suitable material such as metal, Celluloid, paper, cardboard, etc. When used for bridge the face of the card may contain indicia indicating the table and game at which the score was made and the scorers partner. When used for golf, etc., the indicia will be suitable and obviously the openings and spaces in the casing will vary depending upon the circumstances under which the card is intended to be used.

Having described the invention what is claimed is:

1. In a score card, an envelope member having a series of openings, spaces adjacent to said openings, a slide member moveable within said envelope, a slot in said slide, a projecting element on the envelope inserted in said slot, said proadjacent said openings and aligned therewith and adapted to hide entries made on said slide through said openings, and stop means for limiting the movement of said slide in both directions of movement so that entries made on said slide through said openings when said slide is in one extreme position as fixed by said stop means will be covered by the hiding areas adjacent the respective opening When said slide is in the other extreme position as fixed by said stop means, said stop means further being of such character as to limit the movement of the slide to a distance substantially equal to the width of the individual openings, said device being further characterized in that all entries made upon said slide through said openings are either concealed or revealed when the slide is in the corresponding extreme position.

3. A score card in accordance with claim 2 in which the stop means comprises a slot in one of said envelope and slide members and a projecting element on the other of said members inserted in said slot.

OSCAR S. BUTLER.

CERTIFICATE OF connEcnon.

se ptember .2,

Patent No. 235L775.

ror appears in the above numbered'peten In the drawing, strikefout the present tead the following Figures 1 and 2 andlnsert ins a I l I I I l l I l I l I I I l I l l l I M mm 11.; n A w P M. 0 u a a a a a a b o n A 7 r. .1... G 2 i. 4 M u E A H M a IL I I l I l I I I l I l I l I I l l l l m HHQ ll m M. 7 t, P MM a a a Q a a e o o e e E O 6 7 9 V 5 m b O b 9 b 8 .b O b 0 bmw G 2 3 II 2 II 0 a E A m u T FIG- 2 FIG-VI with this correction therecase in the Patent Office.

Henry Van Arsdale Aoting Commissioner 'ofPatents.

(Seal) 

